Photos: Memorable presidential debate moments

CaptionKennedy vs. Nixon

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The first nationally televised debate in 1960 set the precedent for all presidential debates to come, pitting the photogenic John F. Kennedy against the visibly run-down Richard Nixon. Though radio listeners famously ruled that Nixon won the debates, the 70 million viewers who saw the debates...

The first nationally televised debate in 1960 set the precedent for all presidential debates to come, pitting the photogenic John F. Kennedy against the visibly run-down Richard Nixon. Though radio listeners famously ruled that Nixon won the debates, the 70 million viewers who saw the debates... (Getty Images)

President Ford faced off against Jimmy Carter in 1976, hoping to catch up to the Democratic challenger's wide lead in the polls, only to shoot himself in the foot on foreign policy, declaring, "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," a statement that surprised voters and Eastern...

President Ford faced off against Jimmy Carter in 1976, hoping to catch up to the Democratic challenger's wide lead in the polls, only to shoot himself in the foot on foreign policy, declaring, "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," a statement that surprised voters and Eastern... (Getty Images)

President Carter, looking to put Ronald Reagan on the defensive, ended up walking into a trap in 1980. During the campaign's only debate, held just a week before election day, Reagan jumped on an opportunity presented by Carter's persistent attacks on his Medicare policies, laughing off...

President Carter, looking to put Ronald Reagan on the defensive, ended up walking into a trap in 1980. During the campaign's only debate, held just a week before election day, Reagan jumped on an opportunity presented by Carter's persistent attacks on his Medicare policies, laughing off... (Getty Images)

Much is made of the candidates and the role they play in the presidential debates, but moderators can also shift the balance of the campaigns, with the debate between then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis in 1988 serving as a prime example. CNN correspondent Bernard Shaw...

Much is made of the candidates and the role they play in the presidential debates, but moderators can also shift the balance of the campaigns, with the debate between then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis in 1988 serving as a prime example. CNN correspondent Bernard Shaw... (Getty Images)

Then-vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle had a fair share of gaffes in his portfolio, but one of his most prominent flubs occurred during the 1988 vice presidential debates. Claiming that he had "as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency," Quayle...

Then-vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle had a fair share of gaffes in his portfolio, but one of his most prominent flubs occurred during the 1988 vice presidential debates. Claiming that he had "as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency," Quayle... (Getty Images)